Sellafield unions push for conciliation

Trade
unions representing striking industrial workers at the Sellafield nuclear plant
have proposed using ACAS conciliation service to put an end to the ongoing
dispute with British Nuclear Fuels (BNFL).

Workers
have staged a number of one-day strikes over claims that BNFL failed to fulfil
a promise to close the pay gap between industrial workers and office workers by
April 2004.

The
current shift pay for industrial workers is £6,750, while white collar staff
get £8,750.

Staff
walked out two weeks ago after BNFL offered to begin the process of
harmonisation in April 2004, with the process not being completed until April
2009.

The
union said the strikes will continue every Friday until 12 December if the dispute
remains unresolved.

Brian
Strutton, GMB national secretary for energy, said: "Our clear objective
has always been to negotiate a settlement to the dispute and ACAS conciliation
will help achieve it."